It seems those negative reviews have trickled down to counterfeiters in China. CNN talked to several and none of them seemed interested in copying Samsung's Galaxy Gear.

From CNN:

The launch of Samsung's Gear seemed like something of a victory against its big rival Apple, which is rumored to be launching its iWatch sometime this year, but the device was conspicuous by its absence in Huaqiangbei's market halls, logistic companies and workshops.

"I've never seen a knock-off Gear in this whole town," said a young woman working in a shop full of Samsung products. Her shop is one of the few outlets that sell the real Gear but she said "they don't sell well."

"[Counterfeiters] don't care about the Gear as consumer demand is too weak," said another shop assistant in his early twenties, who was selling a number of what he said were real Samsung products, but not the smart watch. "We don't sell it anymore. It was not popular."

Now for some good news from Samsung on its smart watch plans: Last week, a Samsung executive told Bloomberg that the company plans to launch a new version of the Gear in the spring along with a new flagship Galaxy smartphone. The executive didn't give many hints at what the new Galaxy Gear will be able to do, but she did say it will be slimmer.